SECT. XVI. 2. OF INSTINCT. 



tances, excite us to general locomotion : and our fenfes 

 are fo formed and conftituted by the hand of na- 

 ture, that certain objects prefent us with pleafure, 

 others with pain, and we are induced to approach 

 and embrace thefe, to avoid and abhor thofe, as 

 fuch fenfations direcl us. 



Thus the palates of fome animals are gratefully 

 affected by the maftication of fruits, others of 

 grains, and others of flefli ; and they are thence 

 infligated to attain, and to confume thofe mate- 

 rials ; and are furnifhed with powers of mufcular 

 motion, and of digeftion proper for fuch pur. 

 pofes. 



Thefe fenfations and dejtres conftitute a part of 

 our fyftem, as our mufcles and bones conftitute ano- 

 ther part : and hence they may alike be termed 

 natural or connate ; but neither of them can pro- 

 perly be termed inftinclive : as the word inftinct in 

 its ufual acceptation refers only to the aftions of 

 animals, as above explained ; the origin of thefe 

 aftions is the fubjecl of our prefent enquiry. 



The reader is intreated carefully to attend to 

 this definition of inftinftive aftions, left by ufing the 

 word inftincl without adjoining any accurate idea 

 to it, he may not only include the natural defires 

 of love and hunger, and the natural fenfations of 

 pain or pleafure, but the figure and contexture of 

 the body, and the faculty of reafon itfelf under this 

 general term. 



II. We experience fome fenfations, and perform 

 fome actions before our nativity ; the fenfations of 

 cold and warmth, agitation and reft, fulnefs arid 

 inanition, are inftances of the former ; and the 

 repeated ftruggles of the limbs of the foetus, which 

 begin about the middle of geftation, and thofe 



motions 



